Title
Council Referral to Planning Commission to Implement 2ESHB 1923
Recommended Action
Committee Recommendation:
Information only. No action requested.
City Manager Recommendation:
Information only. No action requested.
Report
Issue:
Discussion on the Housing Options Code Amendments proposed in response to the City Council referral to the Planning Commission to implement at least two of three options in Section 1 of 2ESHB 1923 (now codified in the Growth Management Act as 36.70A.600, Revised Code of Washington,).
Staff Contact:
Joyce Phillips, Senior Planner, Community Planning and Development, 360.570.3722
Presenter(s):
Joyce Phillips, Senior Planner, Community Planning and Development
Background and Analysis:
Amendment to Growth Management Act
In 2019 the State of Washington amended the Growth Management Act (GMA) to encourage cities to take actions to increase residential building capacity in Urban Growth Areas. Cities are not required to take these actions but are encouraged to do so. The actions are included in state law (see RCW 36.70A.600, attachment 4).
Referral from City Council
In November of 2019, the City Council issued a referral to the Planning Commission which directed the Commission to consider three specific options from the list and to draft an ordinance that would implement at least two of the three options. The three options for consideration are summarized below:
OPTION 1: Accessory Dwelling Units
Allow accessory dwelling units on parcels containing single-family homes. Cities may not require on-site parking requirements, owner occupancy requirements, or square footage limitations below one thousand square feet. To allow local flexibility, other than these factors, accessory dwelling units may be subject to locally determined provisions and must follow all applicable state and federal laws and local ordinances.
OPTION 2: Duplexes on Corner Lots
Allow a duplex on each corner lot within all zoning districts that permit single-family residences.
OPTION 3: Duplexes, Triplexes and Courtyard Apartments
Allow at least one duplex, triplex, or courtyard apartment on each parcel in one or more zoning districts that permit single-family residences unless a city documents a specific infrastructure or physical constraint that would make this requirement unfeasible for a particular parcel.
Process for Code Amendments
In December of 2019 staff shared the written referral from City Council with the Planning Commission and provided a copy of the language under consideration for the three options.
The City created a project webpage to provide information about the options under consideration. Staff developed a background paper on each option that identified how the Olympia Municipal Code would need to be amended to implement the option, or to identify which additional zoning districts would need to allow certain housing types in order to implement an option.
Public notice of these proposed amendments was provided, and public meetings were held to help people learn more about the options. Questions raised at the meetings were responded to in a Questions and Answers format, which was added to the webpage. Monthly briefings before the Planning Commission at duly advertised public meetings, E-Newsletters (to subscribers of the City’s “Planning & Development” list), and emails to Parties of Record for this proposal were also used to share information with the community. Additional outreach and public notification measures were used, including publishing a notice of the proposal in The Olympian and routing notice of these proposals to all Recognized Neighborhood Associations in the City.
An Open House is scheduled on March 23, 2020 from 5:30 - 7:00 p.m., in City Hall Council Chambers. This will be an opportunity for people to learn about the options under consideration as well as staff’s recommendation to implement them. A summary is available (see attachment 1), as is a copy of draft code language that staff recommends (see attachment 2).
A public hearing will be held before the Planning Commission, probably in April or early May. The Commission will deliberate on the issues and make a recommendation to City Council. Ultimately, the City Council will make a decision to adopt, modify, or deny the proposed amendments.
Staff Recommendation
City staff has spent a considerable amount of time to develop its recommendation. This included conversations with planners at the State of Washington Department of Commerce, Growth Management Services, to clarify how cities would need to draft code language in order to implement the language in state law. Discussions were also held with other planners around the state to discuss nuances in the language, specifically for the option regarding duplexes, triplexes, or courtyard apartments on each parcel in one or more zoning districts.
A key and very important aspect of developing staff’s recommendation centered on maintaining consistency of the City of Olympia Comprehensive Plan and these draft amendments to the Olympia Municipal Code.
Neighborhood/Community Interests (if known):
Issues raised to date have centered on several issues, both from those in support of this work and from those who are concerned about or opposed to these options. The most frequently addressed topics raised have addressed the need for more housing, maintaining neighborhood character, parking, design review, stormwater, housing costs, rental costs, outside investors, maintaining trees, making efficient use of existing infrastructure and utilities, reducing greenhouse gas emissions, compact development patterns, environmental protections and solar access.
Options:
None, no action required.
Financial Impact:
None. The cost of preparing these code amendments is included in the Department’s annual base budget.
Attachments:
Project Webpage
Summary of Options and Staff Recommendation